Sigma has upgraded its 17-70 mm lens. The 17-70 mm f/2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM lens now has Sigma’s own optical stabilization, anti-shake technology. The company says this offers the use of shutter speeds approximately four stops slower than would otherwise be possible. If you own a Pentax or Sony camera, you get to use an anti-shake system in either the lens or the camera body.

This lens’ predecessor, without the OS, was deemed a “Best Buy” recommendation for photographers wishing to purchase a standard zoom lens as part of the Canadian Association for Photographic Art’s (CAPA) “Best Lens of the Year” awards.

The 4x zoom range is equivalent to 24-105 mm in full-frame format, making it a very nice standard lens. Macro delivers down to 8.7 inches with a max magnification of 1:2.7. The lens’ Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM) also ensures a quiet and high speed auto focus, while its rounded, seven-blade diaphragm creates an attractive blur to the out-of-focus areas. The internal focusing eliminates front lens rotation, making the lens particularly suitable for using the supplied petal-type lens hood and circular polarizing filters.

Three aspherical lenses and one extraordinary low dispersion (ELD) glass element provide excellent correction for all types of aberrations, and the Super Multi-Layer Coating reduces flare and ghosting to produce high-contrast images.

The 17-70mm lens is available in Sigma, Canon, Nikon (D), Sony (D) and Pentax mounts.